May 03, 2016

Ron Sedlbauer

Ron Sedlbauer was a lanky left winger at six-foot-three and 195 pounds.

Sedlbauer had played his junior hockey for the Hamilton Tigers and the Kitchener Rangers before being selected in the first round of the entry draft in 1974 (23rd overall) by the Vancouver Canucks. The Vancouver scouts liked the Burlington, Ontario native's size and his excellent technique.

But unfortunately Ron didn't turn out to be as good as the management thought. He had all the skills in the world, but on many nights his play was uninspired and he seemed to be in a daze.

The leather-lunged fans at Pacific Coliseum gave him nicknames such as "Space Cadet" and "Twilight" because he many times was in a world of his own. It wasn't until in his 5th NHL season in 1978-79 that Ron was able to silence his critics and display the fine skills that everybody knew he had.

He opened the season in great fashion and scored 27 goals over the first 45 games. He eventually finished the season with 40 goals, becoming the first Canuck player in the teams nine year history to break the 40 goal barrier. Ron's previously best performances included seasons of 18 goals (twice) and 19 goals

But his 1978-79 success was short-lived. After having scored 10 goals in 31 games the following season he was traded to Chicago for Dave Logan and Harold Philipoff on December 21, 1979. He finished the season in Chicago by scoring 13 goals in 45 games.

Chicago's patience with Ron wasn't very long and they traded him to Toronto for cash on February 18, 1981. At the time of the traded he had scored 12 goals in 39 games. Ron finished the season very well and scored 10 goals and had 14 points in 21 games with Toronto.

But unfortunately he wasn't able to crack the Maple Leafs lineup the following year and was sent down to the farm team. He played the entire 1981-82 season there before hanging up his skates at the age of only 27 years old to pursue a career in his fathers business. His father enjoyed great success in the athletic footwear business where he was manufacturing Cougar shoes together with Ron's brother.

Although Ron only scored 143 goals and 229 points in 430 games he will be remembered as the first Canuck to score 40 goals.

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